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STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES, GROUP B: <br />The Commission has the authority to determine the architectural merits and the extent of any proposed treatment, renovation, or <br />addition to a historic landmark. The commission will require drawings, plans, specifications, and/or samples where appropriate. <br />A. Maintenance <br />The maintenance of any historical structure or site shall in no way involve any direct physical change except for the general <br />cleaning and upkeep of the landmark. The Commission shall encourage the proper maintenance of all structures or sites. <br />B. Treatment <br />Treatment shall be defined as any change of surface materials that will not alter the style or original form. Such <br />improvements include re -roofing, glazing, or landscaping lawns and may involve a change that can potentially enhance <br />or detract from the character of the landmark. A treatment change of any surface whether on the landmark or in its <br />environment may require a Certificate of Appropriateness if it significantly alters the appearance of the landmark. <br />Although these kinds of changes may not require a Building Permit, a Certificate of Appropriateness may be necessary. <br />The commission should review the proposed treatment for character and style consistency with the original surfaces. <br />C. Renovation and Additions <br />Renovation is the modification of a structure, which does not alter the general massing while an addition, is a change in mass. <br />A modification, which involves the removal of a part of the landmark, should be considered under demolition (see demolition). <br />Additions to landmarks should not detract from the original form and unity of the landmark and should not cover <br />singular examples of architectural detail. Additions to landmarks should be added in a manner that does not disrupt the <br />visible unity of the overall appearance of the site. The proportions, materials and ratios of the existing structures should <br />be carried through in the additions. Care should be taken not to change or alter the following: <br />1. Structure—Necessary structural improvements, where safety demands should be accomplished in such a way as to <br />cause minimal visual change to the original style and construction. <br />2.Material—Additions and improvements involving any new material in the landmark should be of the same <br />material as the original. It should be the same size and texture. An alternative material may be allowed if it <br />duplicates the original. <br />a. wood—all wood trim should conform with existing trim in shape and size. <br />b. siding materials—the Commission discourages the covering or alteration of original materials with <br />additional siding. Structures already sided with incompatible materials should be returned to a siding similar <br />to the original when renovation is considered. <br />D. Demolition <br />Historic landmarks shall not be demolished. When a landmark poses a threat to public safety, and demolition is the only <br />alternative, documentation by way of photographs, measured drawings, or other descriptive methods should be made of both the <br />exterior and interior of the landmark. The person or agency responsible for demolition of the landmark shall be responsible for <br />this documentation. <br />E. Moving <br />The moving of landmarks is discouraged, however, moving is preferred to demolition. When moving is necessary, the owner of <br />the landmark must apply to the Commission for a Certificate of Appropriateness. <br />F. Siens <br />No neon or flashing signs will be permitted unless they are original to the structure. Billboards and super -graphics will also be <br />disallowed. Only one appropriate identifying sign will be permitted per business. <br />G. Building Site and Landscaping <br />1. Required <br />Major landscaping items, trees, fencing, walkways, private yard lights, signs (house numbers) and benches which <br />reflect the property's history and development shall be retained. Dominant land contours shall be retained. <br />Structures such as: gazebos, patio decks, fixed barbecue pits, swimming pools, tennis courts, green houses, new <br />walls, fountains, fixed garden furniture, trellises, and other similar structures shall be compatible with the <br />historic character of the site and neighborhood and inconspicuous when viewed from a public way. <br />2. Recommended <br />New site work should be based upon actual knowledge of the past appearance of the property found in <br />photographs, drawings, and newspapers. Plant materials and trees in close proximity to the building that are <br />causing deterioration to the buildings historic fabric should be removed. However, trees and plant materials that must <br />be removed should be immediately replaced by suitable flora. Front yard areas should not be fenced except in cases <br />where historic documentation would indicate such fencing appropriate. Fencing should be in character with the <br />buildings style, materials, and scale. <br />3. Prohibited <br />No changes may be made to the appearance of the site by removing major landscaping items, trees, fencing, <br />walkways, outbuildings, and other elements before evaluating their importance to the property's history and <br />development. Front yard areas shall not be transformed into parking lots nor paved nor blacktopped. The installation <br />of unsightly devices such as TV reception dishes and solar collectors shall not be permitted in areas where they can be <br />viewed from public thoroughfares. <br />